Improvement in bed-bottoms



`Ulvr'rurm AES 1 GERMAIN LUCIANI, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

. .IMPROVEMENT IN' BEla-Bo'lrrolvls Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,832, dated September 4, 1877; application filed May 28, 1877; patented in France, April 10, 1876, for fifteen years.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GERMAIN LUGIANI, of Paris, France, have invented an Improved Bed-Bottom and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed sheet of drawings making a part of the same.

This invention relates to an improved elastic mattress, which I prefer to construct, as hereinafter described, chiefly of wood, and is designed to supply a cheap and useful article, having advantages which have hitherto only been obtainable at high prices.

In carrying the said invention into practice I provide, first, a number of strips of ash or northern deal, as shown in the accompanying drawing at a a, the said strips of wood being sawed in straight lengths, and without knots or other defects, and I prefer them to be nearly one-third of an inch thick by about oneinch and a quarter wide; secondly, two round lengths or rods, b, of the same kind of wood, perfectly straight, and which may vary in diameter from about one inch and a quarter to about two inches, according to the size of the bedstead and the amount of strength required 5 thirdly, the above-described parts are united by means of four straps or bands, c, which are placed as follows-that is to say, one at about four inches from the foot, another at the same distance from the head, and the two others at equal distances between them.

The method I ad opt in attaching these straps or bands is important for the purposes of this invention. They are not nailed or fastened rigidly either to the strips of wood or to the rods, but are doubled and sewed with very strong thread, so that the said strips of wood and rods may slide freely, as in sheets KVor coverings, the capability of which is necessary to give elasticity to the whole apparatus.

The kind of frame which is thus constructed becomes, with the aid of supports suitably placed, an elastic mattress.

The said supports I construct as followsthat is to say, I provide two boards, d, Figures 2 and 3, of suitable length, according to the dimensions of the frame, and I make the support, (see Fig. 2,) which is to be placed at the head a little higher than the support, (see Fig. 3,) which is to be placed at the foot. The upper edge of the said boards is slightly curved, in order to give a curve to the said frame, which form is necessary to give strength and elasticity. The said frame being exactly the same on both sides, may be reversed at pleasure, and, in fact, should be reversed from time to time, in order to counteract the permanent curvatures which might otherwise be occasioned by the insufficient elasticity of the strips of wood. Thus constructed a mattress simple, inexpensive, conducive to health, and very comfortable is provided at a comparatively small cost.

Fig. l is a plan view of the mattress. Figs. 2 and 3 are front views of the two supports. Figs.4 and 5 show a side elevation and a transverse section of a camp-bedstead with one of my said mattresses applied thereto. Fig. 6 is a plan of the mattress of the said bedstead. Figs. 7 and 8 show front views of the two supports of the mattress.

All elastic mattresses hitherto constructed, even those having lengths or laths of wood, have been provided with springs, and my said invention is designed to avoid this costly and complicated arrangement, being based, essentially, upon the principle of utilizing the inherent elasticity ot' the said strips of wood or laths, united, as hereinbefore described, by the said bands or straps, between which they slide. It is recommended to leave a certain play between the bedstead and the mattress, both at the head and foot.

I wish to point out that the said supports d, not being fixed, may be moved nearer to or farther from the center, so that by this means the elasticity may be modified in proportion to the weight required to be supported.

Although I have hitherto described my improved mattress as made almost entirely of wood, it will be readily understood that other materials may be employed, such,for instance, as steel for the strips and thongs of leather in place of the straps or bands. I prefer wood,

however, under present circumstances,econo The combination of the elastic strips a,

my being one of the objects had in view in this invention. Y

The parts are readily detached, and may be taken apart at will.

round rods b, straps or bauds c, and adjustable supports d, substantially as shown and described, to form a mattress having the quali ties specified.

Having thus described the nature of my GERMAIN LUCIANI. said invention, and the manner of carrying it Witnesses: 1 into effect, Ideclare that what I claim, and deI J AcQUEs LUCIANI,

sire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

J EAN BAPTISTE ROLLAND. 

